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Although there are several effective solutions to effluent management problems, when it comes to industrial wastewater treatment, reverse osmosis is fast becoming one of the most popular methods. It can be a little more expensive to set up, but once this filtration system is up and running it can save manufacturers money and is much kinder to the environment. What is Reverse Osmosis (RO)? Before we jump into how it can be used in industrial wastewater treatment, let’s get to grips with how this process works. It’s effectively very simple. You’ve probably heard of osmosis, from biology classes; it’s a natural process where a less concentrated solution migrates to a more concentrated solution. Reverse osmosis reverses this process, but something that is key to both is a semi-permeable membrane. This is important in wastewater treatment as it is used to filter larger particles out of the dirty solution. RO also requires a high-pressure pump to push the wastewater against the concentration gradient and across the membrane, leaving nearly all of the contaminants behind. In fact, nearly 99% of particles, such as bacteria, heavy metals, chemicals, and dissolved salts, can be removed through this process, making it one of the most effective methods of industrial wastewater treatment. These unwanted materials can then be responsibly disposed of and the treated water can be reused or syphoned out. Here’s the good stuff you should know: 1. It’s extremely energy efficient There are plenty of other industrial wastewater treatment methods to choose from, however, they often require large amounts of electricity to be effective. For example, distillation works by heating the water and transforming it into a gas, but this uses a lot of energy. Not only does it make the process more expensive, it’s also not very environmentally friendly. Conversely, RO relies solely on pressure to filter out the contaminants, making it much more energy efficient. 2. It’s affordable As well as saving money on energy usage, the filtration systems used in RO can last a very long time. This means that less money is spent in the long term to achieve safe, clean water. 3. It’s been used for centuries Although it’s only been used for commercial production since the mid-50s, RO was discovered all the way back in the 1700s, by Jean-Antoine Nollet. The French scientist first developed this method of filtration by using a pig’s bladder to filter out large particles. We now use a much more sophisticated filter to create the semi-permeable membrane required for the process. 4. Our cities depend on it Thanks to its effectiveness and affordability, reverse osmosis has become one of the most popular methods of industrial wastewater treatment around the world. It’s especially important for supplying clean drinking water in major cities, and can remove up to 80 different contaminants. 5. You can use it in your home Speaking of drinking water, it’s one of the best ways to ensure that your water tastes delicious. People love the taste so much that you can now subscribe to services that will install and maintain your very own filtration system in your house. There are many benefits to using reverse osmosis as part of effluent treatment. However, to ensure that you get the best results, use an expert who knows the ins and outs of this filtration system and you’ll save both time and money. Author Plate Sean Clifford is an advisor at AllWater Technologies Ltd, a wholly independent company providing consultation, equipment and industrial wastewater treatment solutions, including reverse osmosis water systems. Bringing together a host of experience and specialist knowledge, the company is committed to building and maintaining long-term relationships and creating maximum value and benefit for their customers.
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